Cristina Ribble became Concordia
University Wisconsin's first Acrobatics and Tumbling head coach on
Nov. 1, 2013, announced by Director of Athletics Rob Barnhill.

Ribble comes to CUW after serving
as the Cheerleading head coach at Kennesaw State University since
August 2010. She also was a cheerleader for the Owls and helped the
program grow significantly over her time as head coach.

"It is an honor to be named head
coach for Acrobatics and Tumbling program at Concordia University
Wisconsin," said Ribble. "By starting this program, we are giving
another group of highly talented competitive female athletes the
opportunity to compete in a sport where their talents are
recognized at the collegiate level. I can't wait to build this
program and watch a new Acrobatics and Tumbling family come
together."

Ribble brings plenty of experience
in both gymnastics and cheerleading to the Falcons new program,
which will begin competition in 2014-15. In addition to her time as
head coach at KSU, she served as a Gymnastics head coach for the
World of Gymnastics & Cheer. During those stints, Ribble
coached various levels of gymnastics, as well as coaching
cheerleading tumbling and stunt classes.

"I am very pleased to have found a
new leader for our Acrobatics and Tumbling program," Barnhill said.
"Cristina brings a wealth of personal knowledge of the athletic
skill set as a level 10 gymnast combined with her recruiting and
coaching experience at the collegiate level. I am confident that
she understands our vision of this program and the unique
opportunities that exist here at CUW."

Ribble also brings an impressive
resume as a former collegiate athlete for KSU. She was a member of
two competitive cheerleading national championship teams (2006 and
2008) and was a two-time National Cheerleaders Association
All-American. During her time as a student-athlete for the Owls,
Ribble was coached by Felicia Mulkey, who is the Acrobatics and
Tumbling head coach at the University of Oregon. Since starting the
program in 2010, Mulkey has won the last three national
championships at Oregon.

"As a past competitive collegiate
student-athlete myself, I know the value of hard work and what it
takes to build a successful program from scratch," Ribble said. "I
have faith that we will not only excel here at CUW but dominate in
this sport."

Ribble graduated from Kennesaw
State University in December 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in
communication, with a concentration in media studies.